Oct. 8, 2009

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A link between a retrovirus and neuro-immune diseases such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has been discovered, scientists working with a research institute at the University of Nevada, Reno announced today.

Researchers from the Whittemore Peterson Institute for Neuro-immune Disease said the XMRV retrovirus is found in 95 percent of patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Annette Whittemore, founder and president of the Whittemore Peterson Institute said the breakthrough discovery could hold the key to help victims of CFS and other neuro-immune diseases.

“I think this finding will open up a whole new world of treatment options for patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and we also believe it will impact millions of others with neuro-immune diseases like fibromyalgia, Atypical Multiple Sclerosis, Epstein Barr and even autism,” she said.

Whittemore and her husband, Nevada lobbyist and developer Harvey Whittemore, founded the institute after one of their daughters became incapacitated at one point from CFS.

"Now we have scientific proof that this infectious agent is a significant factor in ME/CFS," Annette Whittemore said. "Patients and their doctors will soon have a blood test to verify their diagnosis and provide the answers that they've been seeking."

She said the institute has asked Nevada’s congressional delegation for help to seek funding for more research into the retrovirus and its possible connection to other diseases, including cancer.